Shrek Forever After - The final Chapter

What happens when you cross every ones favorite Ogre with It's a wonderful life....You Get Shrek Forever After.

The final installment of the Shrek franchise finds our green friend in an alternate version of Far Far Away when Shrek is duped into signing a pact with the smooth-talking deal maker, Rumpelstiltskin. A place where ogres are hunted, Rumpelstiltskin is king and Shrek and Fiona have never met.

Can't wait to see it neither can I especially in 3D

Click here to get tickets

Storm Heaven with prayers

In times of desperation sometimes all we have is faith and the hope of a miracle. As a reader of kidzense you most likely have children or are connected to a child in some way. I am sure you will be able to relate to the story below and can only begin to imagine what a devastating event this is for this little girl and her family. What follows is the story of an eighth grade girl named Allyson Kafka and a tragic turn of events in her health.
Please think of Ally and keep her in your prayers.

Thank You,

Michael

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Everything was going well for Allyson this year. She was loving her new school and making many new friends at Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke.
Ally got all A's and A+s on her first report card. She was enjoying her third year of ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop and looking forward to all of the 8th grade graduation events as well as confirmation.
She took the high school placement test at Catholic High and has been so excited about going to TCHS next year.

On December 9th, I took Ally and Megan for seasonal flu shots (Zack had already gotten his.) I asked the pediatrician for some blood work on Ally. When she had teeth fall out, she seemed be bleed a little longer than I would expect. When she got bruises (which was not often), they seemed a little bigger than I would expect.
My mom said she had this happen also so I thought maybe Ally had some clotting issue. We got the call the following day that Ally's platelets and white count were low and to bring her back on Friday, Dec. 11th for a repeat.
We were a little worried but thought it likely more a lab error. On the 11th, we were just about the head out the door to get Megan to her last final of the semester and then off for some shopping when the phone call came that Ally's platelets and white count were critically low and to get her to the ER at Bay view.

We were panicked and Ally was really scared. They talked about the possibility of an autoimmune issue and giving Ally some IV immunoglobulin to boost her own immune response.
They said that they were not fully equipped for pediatrics and sent us to downtown Hopkins. Ally was admitted and by Sunday, they were talking about doing a bone marrow biopsy. Again, panic. . . Ally had the biopsy done on December 15th and we were discharged on the 16th to outpatient services pending results. We took Ally there twice a week for platelet transfusions. On 12/23 we got the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome with monosomy 7.

Ally's bone marrow was not producing normal cells and there was actually a change in the chromosome. Ally would need a bone marrow transplant. More panic and many tears followed. The next step was testing for a match. Jason, Megan, Zack, and I were tested on 12/28 and on January 5th, we got the news that Zack was a full match!!!! Thank you God! We began the long process of pre-transplant testing. On January 19th, Ally had another bone marrow biopsy in preparation for the transplant. She was scheduled for admission on Feb.3rd for chemotherapy and then the actual transplant (Zack's bone marrow harvest day) on February 9th. On January 22nd we had an outpatient visit and got the news that the bone marrow biopsy from the 19th was back and that the bone marrow cells had already transitioned to leukemia.

There are no words to describe that moment. Shock, anger, sadness, complete disbelief. The bone marrow transplant would have to wait. They said we could have the weekend but needed to come back Monday, January 25th for Allyson to start chemotherapy. Ally was admitted, got her central line surgically placed and began chemotherapy. The admission was planned for about 4 weeks but ended up being 47 days. In the end we learned that the chemo did not work in getting Ally's leukemia into remission. We were going to be admitted for more chemo but then the MDs decided to try an outpatient chemo drug. The follow-up bone marrow showed that this too was not successful. A full match transplant would not help since Zack's marrow so closely matched Ally's that it too might not destroy the leukemia. It was decided to do a haplo or half-matched transplant with my marrow to give Ally's body an immune response to hopefully fight the leukemia. We were re-admitted for chemo 3/31/10 and had the transplant done 4/07/10. Now we wait and we pray.

This journey will not be an easy one and we will need the continued love, prayers, and support of each of you during this time. Please continue to pray with us that Allyson (and our family) will have the strength, courage, and faith to walk this path. Thank you.

Ally is currently in the PICU unit at Hopkins. Her body is rejecting the bone marrow and she has developed severe infections in her central line and blood stream. She has a condition called VOD that is just devastating and too horrible to describe. She was confirmed last night by our pastor and I believe he also did the sacrament of last rites. Sister has asked us to “storm heaven” with our prayers for a miracle because that is truly what Ally needs. I ask all of you to please remember Ally in your prayers. It is truly touch and go right now.

I thank you for your prayers. Maybe together we can work a miracle.

Children's Activities for Easter 2010

This Easter there are plenty of opportunities to get out with the kids from riding the rails with the Easter Bunny to Easter Egg Hunts and other special activities.

Celebrate the coming of Spring with a visit from the Easter Bunny on the Delaware River Railroad Excursions. Board our beautifully decorated train and visit with the Easter Bunny! Join Mr. Bunny on a ride to his home! Once we arrive in the Bunny patch join Mr. Rabbit for an Easter Egg Hunt!

Every child will be able to look for their very own colorful Easter Egg. Each egg is filled with either a small toy or candy and each child can forage for a couple of eggs!

Enjoy your train ride while the kids have the time of their life with Mr. Rabbit!

4 trips a day!

11:00 AM- 12:30 PM- 2:00 PM- 3:30 PM

March 27,28 &

April 3

Ticket prices are as follows:

Coach: Child $8.00 Adult $16.00

All Trips Leave From Scenic Phillipsburg, New jersey

Click here for Directions
Click here to Purchase Tickets

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Easter Bunny trains are now operated in both Bergen County and in Morris – Passaic County! The Volunteer Railroaders Association would like to announce the return of their very popular Train Ride with the Easter Bunny.

On Saturday March 27th the trains will depart the NJ Transit Wayne/Route 23 Transit Center at 9:30AM, 12PM and 2:30PM for a round trip into Morris Country and back. During the trip we will pass historic Boonton Yard where you can see the numerous locomotives and cars being restored for inclusion in the proposed New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center.

On Sunday March 28th the trains will depart from NJ Transit Glen Rock/Borough Hall station at 9:30AM, 12PM and 2:30 PM where the train will head up into Rockland County and back again. Each round trip will last about 90 minutes giving everyone plenty of time to enjoy the festivities on the train.

During the approximately 90 minute ride the Easter Bunny will hop through the train and visits each child, giving them a special gift from his basket. In addition to the Easter Bunny there will be other surprise characters that will also visit each child. Each child can have his or her picture taken with the Easter Bunny so they can always remember their ride, so bring your cameras.
These Easter holiday decorated train rides are pleasant family fun with the little children enjoying the most! These events combine the mystery, history and love of the American railroad and the thrill of "riding the rails" with the magic of celebrating the holidays. The main characters stroll from car to car of the trains to the surprise and delight of the children while they visit with their families.
Buy Tickets

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Here Comes Peter Cottontail Hoppin’ Down the Strasburg Rails

Strasburg, PA – Hop into the season with an Easter tradition at the Strasburg Rail Road, one of Pennsylvania’s leading family attractions. Travel with Peter Cottontail as an authentic steam train takes you on a 45-minute journey from the East Strasburg Station to Paradise, PA and back. Also enjoy a ride on our miniature steam train, or steer the Cranky Cars around a track. For a look behind-the-scenes take a tour of the Mechanical Shop where trains are built and refurbished. For a special treat, tempt your taste buds in our Dining Car, our Trackside Restaurant or pack your own lunch for an Easter picnic at Groff’s Grove.

The Easter Bunny Train pulls into the station April 2-4, 2010. Trains depart hourly from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Friday and Sunday. On Saturday, trains depart hourly from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and at 6:00 p.m. Adult coach fares (age 12+) are $16, child coach fares (ages 3-11) are $9 and infant coach fares (under 3) are $2. Tickets can be pre-purchased at www.StrasburgRailRoad.com or by calling 717-687-7522. Tickets can also be purchased at the ticket window.

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Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Saturday April 3rd

Tickets are $10.00 plus tax, children and adults.
(Sorry no coupons or discounted tickets can be used for this special event).

Come meet the Easter Bunny as you enjoy a light breakfast at the New Jersey Children's Museum. Make a special Easter craft and then enjoy unlimited play in the museum after. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Mastercard and Visa are accepted. Tickets may not be available day of event.

For Tickets and more information vist: www.njcm.com

The Nature Program Cooperative

The Nature Program Cooperative
Click here for the NPC website.

Did you know there are over a dozen places and organizations in Bergen County alone that provide quality nature programs? Recently, they created the NPC – a pooling of knowledge and resources designed to offer the people of our region greater opportunities to explore and enjoy the County’s natural side.

Current Nature Program Cooperative partners include:

Bergen County Audubon Society Bergen SWAN Closter Nature Association Demarest Nature Center Flat Rock Brook Nature Center The Fyke Nature Association Greenbrook Sanctuary Hackensack Riverkeeper

Lorrimer Sanctuary (NJ Audubon) Meadowlands Environment Center (NJMC) Palisades Interstate Park Commission Teaneck Creek Conservancy Tenafly Nature Center Watershed Ambassadors (NJDEP) Weis Ecology Center (NJ Audubon)

Throughout the year, different partners of the Co-op will host an outdoor activity or indoor educational program at a nature center or other appropriate location to which all group members are invited. When applicable, member discounts will apply to all Co-op partner members and supporters. For example, when Tenafly Nature Center hosts an event, members of all other groups pay the TNC member rate. Non-members are also welcome to attend. All events will be advertised in each group’s newsletter.

Upcoming NPC programs: click here for more information.

• Birding for Beginners Class
  Hosted by Bergen County Audubon in partnership with the NJ Meadowlands Commission
  March 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 am - 12 pm

• Stream Invertebrates in Greenbrook Sanctuary Hosted by Greenbrook Sanctuary  March 28

• Sky Creatures: Stories in the Sky
  Hosted by Meadowlands Environment Center
  Friday, April 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 - 9 pm

• Survival in the Wild
  Hosted/Presented by Flat Rock Brook Nature Center
  Sunday, April 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:30–3:30 pm.

• Guided Paddle Through the Sawmill Marsh

  Hosted by Hackensack Riverkeeper
  Saturday, April 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 am

• “Shad Bake” at Mrs. Kearney’s tavern
  Hosted/Presented by Palisades Interstate Park
  Saturday, May 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 am – 3 pm

• Marsh Meander
  Hosted by Meadowlands Environment Center
  Saturday, May 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 - 2:30 pm

The Princess and the Frog from Leapfrog

My family is a big fan of Leapfrog products we currently have the Click-start, Leapster2, and Tag systems. So I was a little disappointed with a recent purchase we made of Disney's Princess and the Frog for the Leapster.

I had reviewed the online trailer and thought it would be a good addition with both math and spelling games.

The game has the characters and sounds from The Princess and the Frog. But it lacks originality and seems like a recycled version of other Leapster games. One big detractor is that the sound clips are often repeated back to back. It seems as though Leapfrog rushed to get this product out in time for Mardi Gras and ride the wave of the movies popularity.
In doing so they created a product that is similar to other Disney games and left this consumer feeling a little ripped off. As a parent I have come to expect games from leapfrog that help my child to master concepts in a fun, novel way. This one misses the mark.

The Magic of a Snow Day

The Magic of a Snow Day

This past week we received our first major snowfall of the winter.
Schools and many workplaces were closed.

Ah! The snow day, even as an adult I can remember the feeling of anticipation that school might be closed. A feeling eclipsed only by that of Christmas or a birthday.
So It was truly a gift to be able to experience my daughters first snow day. As she woke I gently whispered schools closed. Her thin slits for eyes grew wide and a smile spread across her face. Then she dashed to the window to look outside. The pool is buried, she said. The snow had drifted up to the wall that surrounds the pool in our building's courtyard.

We had pancakes for breakfast (something usually reserved for Sundays.) And watched the weather report. During the morning I had some conference calls and work to complete. (courtesy of technology, many parents don't get snow days anymore)

Venture Out
After a late lunch enough was enough, it was time to get outside and enjoy the magic of the snow.

Our Courtyard and parking lot had been transformed into a white windswept tundra. We trudged along to our car stopping along the way to make some snowballs and snow angels.

The car was also transformed as well. The snow covered windows blocked out most of the light. Once the heat got kicking it was a warm and cozy snow cave.

Onto the sledding

We drove up to a park along Husdon Terrace. This is a local favorite spot for sledding. The bowel shaped park offers a wide variety of sledding profiles from short and steep to long gradual slopes to everything in between. The perimeter of the hills were dotted with snowman and other snow sculptures.

We made a number of runs down each of the hills, had a snowball fight, and then proceeded to make a snow fort and then some more sledding.

One of my favorite memories that day was when we lied on our backs looking up at the falling snow. We followed the flakes from as high as we could see all the way down to the ground. And on a few occasions, right onto our faces. There is something about falling snow that quiets everything down, including the soul. It is a peacefulness that I have only experienced while it is snowing.
I am grateful that I was able to share this day with the best person I could imagine. While the snow transformed our town into a winter wonderland, for a few hours it transformed this 40 year old back into a kid.

Get ready to Dance

It seems like every Little girl wants to be a ballerina or dancer at some time in their life. Maybe it was the 1st time they experienced The Nutcracker, or saw The Rockettes at the Radio City Christmas Show, or watched Angelina Ballerina. Whatever the reason is, if your child has a desire to dance The Edgewater Community center is providing you with a great opportunity to cultivate that desire.

Local Dance Instructor Maureen Strab will be holding classes for kids starting as young as three.
Classes begin Tuesday January 26th. The Edgewater Community Center is at 1167 River Road in Edgewater NJ. (Other days are available at other North Jersey Locations - you may contact Maureen for more information)

The Cost for the classes are as follows:

$120 for 10 week session Edgewater Residents

$140 for 10 week session Non Residents

The end of the session will culminate in a final performance providing an opportunity for your child to showcase what they have learned.

The following classes and times are available

2:00 - Creative Movement age 3

3:00 - Pre-Ballet age 4

4:00 - Dance Combo: ages 5 & 6 Ballet, tap, and jazz

5:00 - Dance and Drama: ages 7 & 8 Ballet, jazz, funk, theatre dance, acting

6:00 - Dance and Drama: ages 9-12 Ballet, jazz, funk, theatre dance, acting

Dance offers more benefits than just providing an outlet for burning off some extra energy.

It encourages the student to use their imagination and creativity through expressive movement. Broadens your child's knowledge of the arts.

Hones motor skills, balance, flexibility, and coordination.

Is a great way to exercise and have fun at the same time.

Provides a venue for your child and you to make new friends with shared interests.

Here is a some information about Maureen

Maureen Straub is a performer, teacher, and choreographer in the tri-state area. She graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in 2001.

She has performed professionally in NYC, national and international tours, regional theatres, Children's DVDs, and even a documentary.

Her choreography has been featured at many venues including the world famous Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and the Bergen PAC.

Currently Maureen is working on a documentary, called ICONS, in which she plays Judy Garland and is also the choreographer. She has performed with legends Ben Vereen and Ann Reinking.

Maureen loves everything about the world of the arts. She enjoys passing on her knowledge and passion to the next generation.

Massive Product Recall by J&J

Johnson & Johnson issued a massive recall Friday of over-the-counter drugs including Tylenol, Motrin and St. Joseph's aspirin because of a moldy smell that has made people sick.

For full product recall information :

http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/

What was recalled?

The recall includes some batches of regular and extra-strength Tylenol, children's Tylenol, eight-hour Tylenol, Tylenol arthritis, Tylenol PM, children's Motrin, Motrin IB, Benadryl Rolaids, Simply Sleep, and St. Joseph's aspirin.

What was wrong?

The FDA said about 70 people have been either sickened by the odor - including nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea - or noticed it.

The smell is caused by small amounts of a chemical associated with the treatment of wooden pallets, Johnson & Johnson said. The FDA said the chemical can leach into the air, and traced it to a facility in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico.

The New Brunswick, N.J., company said it is investigating the issue and will stop shipping products with the same materials on wooden pallets. It has asked suppliers to do so as well.

Why now?

It was the second such recall in less than a month because of the smell, which regulators said was first reported to Johnson & Johnson's McNeil Consumer Healthcare Products division in 2008. Federal regulators criticized the company, saying it didn't respond to the complaints quickly enough, wasn't thorough in how it handled the problem and didn't inform the Food and Drug Administration quickly.

The FDA said McNeil knew of the problem in early 2008 but made only a limited investigation.

"McNeil should have acted faster," said Deborah Autor, the director of the FDA's Office of Compliance of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "When something smells bad, literally or figuratively, companies must aggressively investigate and take all necessary action to solve the problem."

What do I do if I have recalled products?

You should stop using the product and contact McNeil Consumer Healthcare for instructions on a refund or replacement, the company said.

For these instructions or information regarding how to return or dispose of the product, go to www.mcneilproductrecall.com or call 1-888-222-6036 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).